Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, brother die in car crash

Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother Andre, 25, have died in a car crash near Zamora, Spain, police said on Thursday. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead after their car went off the road. 

Police have confirmed that Jota’s car, a Lamborghini, was found in flames but no other vehicle was involved in the crash. It is not yet revealed who among the two brothers was driving the car.

Jota’s death comes weeks after he married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso and in a social media post wrote, “Yes to forever.” They have three children, and the youngest one was born last year.

The Portuguese lifted the Premier League title in May with Liverpool, after previously winning the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups in his five years at the club.

“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” the club said in a statement.

“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.

“We will continue to provide them with our full support.”

Jota made 49 appearances for Portugal, in which he won the 2019 and 2025 UEFA Nations League and scored a total of 14 goals.

The FPF said in a statement: “The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva in Spain this morning.

“Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.

Jota’s Portugal teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, also sent his condolences to the brothers’ family.

“It doesn’t make sense. We were just together with the national team, you had just gotten married,” Ronaldo said in a post on social media.

“To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”